Dedicated to the memory of Malik Jones, and to all those victims of police brutality about whom no plays have been written

(1) To begin

(wood block, one stroke)

(2) It is concluded the Officer Robert Flodquist’s use of deadly force in causing the tragic

(3) tragic(4) a shame(1) unfortunate(3) tragic(4) very sad

(2) the tragic death of Malik Jones on April 14, 1997, was reasonable and justified pursuant to Section 53a-22 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Accordingly, no further action is to be taken by the Division of criminal Justice.

(1) Are there any questions?

(4) What is “reasonable”?

(2) the calculus of reasonableness makes allowances

(1) for tense circumstances(3) for uncertainty(2) for rapidly evolving situations

(4) for racism?

(2) the calculus of reasonableness is an objective one

(1) in light of the facts(3) the circumstances(1) without regard to intent...(2) whether good or evil(3) without regard to motivation...(2) whether good or evil

(4) What is “reasonable”?

(2) “Reasonable” is where officers of reasonable competence could disagree and if we disagree about whether an officer is reasonably competent to disagree about whether an officer who may or may not be reasonably competent has acted reasonably, then we are reasonable

(2) I then fired several more times...I do not recall how many times I fired.

(4) How many?

(1) Although witnesses’ statements vary... (3) They are all consistent

(The lines that follow are accompanied by a woodblock beating out the numbers being spoken)

(2) I heard several shots. (4) He then heard more than two shots. (1) I heard five pops. The first two were slow and the last three were rapid. (3) I heard approximately four rapid shots. (2) I believe I heard six shots in all. (4) I then heard six or seven shots in rapid succession. (1) She heard, she thinks, three to four gunshots. (2) The gun jerked twice, then I heard three shots. (3) He heard popping sounds.

(1) Twenty holes were observed in the sweatshirt. Some of such holes were bullet-like in description.

(2) All right, he’s taking off on me. We’re doing a U-turn. We’re going west on Frontage.

(3) I’m preparing for the worst.

(1) Are there any questions?

(4) The officer was flagged down by a motorist operating a red Subaru.

(2) Who?

(3) Who?

(4) Efforts to identify the operator of the Subaru have been unsuccessful.

(2) There was a grey Oldsmobile, going eighty miles per hour, cutting in and out of traffic and is going to kill someone.

(1) Kill someone?

(All) Kill someone.

(rattle)

(2) OK, two black males in a grey Cutlass were doing about fifty going, uh, westbound coming up to Saltonstall and Forbes.

(1) Are there any questions?

(4) What is a racial profile? (rattle)

(2) Uh, we’re center of the Q Bridge, still 95 south

(3) People might come over the river. I won’t predict it, but I want to prepare for it.

(rattle)

(2) We just got off Exit Two, Hamilton Street

(rattle)

(1) Exit Two, Hamilton Street. Just so you know Hav-know New Haven, uh, if you approach the vehicle two black...uh...males within.

(3) Boys on the Hood

(4) And if they had been white?

(All) And if they had been white?

(rattle)

(1) If it gets congested on Hamilton let it go.

(All) Let it go.

(3) We in policing have to know when to back off. There’s nothing wrong with backing off a situation.

(4) Officers think he let down the rank and file by saying what he said...they think he’s going against the system.

(1) Against the system?

(All) AGAINST THE SYSTEM?

(rattle)

(2) Roger. I’ll advise in one second.

()1) Are there any questions?

(4) What was he afraid of? (3) He got what he deserved. (2) It seems more of a black and white thing right now. (1) Let’s stop this racial baloney. That’s all it is. (3) I’m very sorry about this,really. (4) What was he afraid of? (2) Let’s put it all to rest, please. (1) I truly believe Officer Flodquist’s actions were necessary to eliminate Jones... (3) I think more should be said about his extensive record... (4) What was he afraid of? (2) If he’d have stopped in the beginning, there wouldn’t have been any problem at all, he would have gotten a ticket, that’s it. (1) I don’t think color had a thing to do with it. (3) He ignored orders. (2) Officer Flodquist was completely justified in what he did, and as a direct result of his actions, the world is a little safer... (1) If he was such an upstanding, bright boy, why didn’t he stop? (4) What was he afraid of? (3) He defied all authority. (2) This is getting too much publicity. (1) Thank you, Officer Flodquist. (4) Thank you. (3) Thank you.

(All) WHAT WAS HE AFRAID OF?

(rattle)

(2) OK, we’re in a vacant lot at Murphy Road and, uh, Grand Avenue.

(1) Upon listening to the tome and statements uttered by Officer Flodquist, it may be argued they do not outwardly reflect a voice which indicates a high emotional state, panic or hysteria.

(2) I was scared for my life, without any doubt whatsoever.

(3) Beyond any reasonable doubt?

(2) I fired the first shot (pause) and he gave me a defiant, go to hell look.

(4) Go to hell.

(2) A defiant look. (pause) A look.

(crescendo) (1) A look? (1,2) A look? (1,2, 3) A look? (All) A LOOK?

(2) I then fired several more times.

(pause)

(1) After the vehicle stopped, Officer Flodquist called for medical assistance...

(3) It was at this time that I noticed that the driver was bleeding. It was at this time I noticed the driver had been shot. I placed him on the ground and held him there. The driver did not say anything to me. But his eyes were open. He was groaning.

(1) He arrived about one minute later and observed Mr. Jones partially laying out of a grey Oldsmobile. His legs were in the vehicle and his upper body was facing down on the street.

(4) Did not speak or say anything (pause) facing down on the street...

(1) Are there any questions?

(4) What’s the code word for the blue code of silence?

(1) Remain...neutral.

(3) I certainly don’t see any reason why the state police would not be able to investigate a local police department. They’re certainly professional enough to do that.

(4) We have some cowboys...

(2) You can’t hide from this mob. Won’t you let us do our job?

(All) You can’t hide from this mob.

(1) It’s about time law enforcement got a fair shake.

(3) Our whole community was kicked in the stomach by a few politicians.

(4) And I think this twelve year veteran on the police force actually knew what he was doing.

(All) You can’t hide from this mob.

(1) Are there any questions?

(4) What’s a cliché?

(2) I didn’t sleep for two nights.

(3) It was very difficult to become involved.

(1) I didn’t want to look like I was standing in judgement.

(4) It’s easy for everyone to play Monday morning quarterback.

(2) Everybody has an opinion.

(All) (cacophony for six beats, talking over each other) Everybody. Everybody has an opinion. Everybody. Everybody. Everybody has an opinion.

(pause)

(3) Here we go again, another investigation.

(1) Looking for justice?

(4) Or for votes?

(2) Where is their credibility?

(3) To call for a grand jury?

(1) Absolutely despicable.

(4) Say it was a mistake.

(2) It was a mistake.

(3) Was it a mistake?

(4) SAY it was a mistake.

(1) Just imagine what Officer Flodquist is going through. But the thing is, you can’t imagine. He’s going through hell right now.

(All) (whisper, deliberate) HE’S going through hell?

(3) And where are WE? (louder) And where are WE?

(2) Just one child of color.

(3) One more child of color.

(1) Are there any questions?

(4) How many more? Has this happened before?

(All) HOW MANY MORE?

(Voices in sequence, with two beat delay for introducing each, then read in overlapping chorus, different rhythms)

(1) Listen... (2) We will not live with this violence. (3) Your murders are not our secuurity. (4) Your brutality is not our safety. (1) Your lying is not our truth. (2) This death will not go away. (3) These deaths will not go away. (4) We will not allow it.